Scottish First Minister Accepts Membership in STARFLEET

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In October of 2010, Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond accepted a complimentary one-year Membership of Distinction from STARFLEET, the International Star Trek Fan Association, Inc. Chief Engineer “Scotty” is no longer the only famous Scotsman in Starfleet.

Chief Engineer “Scotty” is no longer the only famous Scotsman in Starfleet.

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Chief Engineer “Scotty” is no longer the only famous Scotsman in Starfleet. In October of 2010, Scottish First Minister Alex Salmond accepted a complimentary one-year Membership of Distinction from STARFLEET, the International Star Trek Fan Association, Inc.

The Right Honourable Mr. Salmond is a declared Star Trek fanatic, as was widely reported back in April 2010 by news media throughout the United Kingdom and Europe. When word of this fact reached STARFLEET Headquarters in the United States, discussions began among the STARFLEET Admiralty Board (Board of Directors) to offer Mr. Salmond a complimentary membership.

“STARFLEET is the oldest and largest continuously active Star Trek fan club in the world,” said Rear Admiral Jonathan Lane, STARFLEET’s Chief of Communications, “And we pride ourselves on having members across the globe. It seemed only fitting to offer Mr. Salmond not just an honorary membership but a fully active membership in our organization.”

Mr. Salmond enthusiastically accepted, with a spokesperson responding: “Mr Salmond is delighted to boldly accept what no First Minister has accepted before. As a devotee of Star Trek since its earliest episodes, and a fan of Captain Kirk and Lieutenant Uhura in particular from the original series, he is happy to add his name to the ranks of STARFLEET members worldwide.”

Mr. Salmond will be receiving all the rights and privileges accorded members of STARFLEET, including a membership ID card and certificate signed by the organization’s Fleet Admiral, six issues of STARFLEET’s bi-monthly Communiqué publication mailed to him in Scotland, the right to cast a vote in any and all upcoming STARFLEET elections while he is a member, and access to STARFLEET’s online chat lists. In addition, Mr. Salmond can avail himself of all of STARFLEET’s resources, including over a thousand online correspondence courses within STARFLEET Academy, the extensive data libraries of the Department of Technical Services (which has information on nearly every starship ever designed or constructed), and Mr. Salmond might even choose to enlist in the STARFLEET Marine Corps.

Best of all, as a STARFLEET member, Mr. Salmond can join any of nearly 230 international chapters, including the two nearest him in the United Kingdom: the USS Isaac and the ISS Rassilon.

STARFLEET has always prided itself on serving its local communities. Members around the world have organized charity events to collect money, food, clothing, and other items for those in need. Chapters lead recycling initiatives, local clean-ups of parks, beaches, and highways, and STARFLEET itself offers a dozen scholarships each year to members pursuing education in a variety of fields.

“STARFEET was founded to further the dream of Star Trek’s creator, Gene Roddenberry: a future where the entire world and the galaxy around it would be united in peace and exploration,” said STARFLEET’s Commander, Fleet Admiral Sal Lizard. “The Enterprise crew was a mix of American, African, Asian, Western European, Eastern European, and even non-human…all working together. One of the most beloved of this colorful crew was Chief Engineer Montgomery Scott. (‘Scotty’) To have the First Minister of Scotty’s native land join our ranks is incredibly special and has inspired the imaginations of our membership.”

Although the specific town of Scotty’s birth was never revealed in any Star Trek episode or film, Mr. Salmond firmly believes it to be his native Linlithgow, and he is happy to know that he shares a birthplace with the starship Enterprise’s own Scotsman.

ABOUT STARFLEET:
STARFLEET, The International Star Trek Fan Association, Inc. is an organization of over 4,100 Star Trek™ and science fiction enthusiasts that have united the world of fandom in their appreciation of Star Trek™, the greatest human adventure. Founded in 1974, STARFLEET has operated continuously for 35 years, making it the oldest Star Trek™ fan association of its size in the world. This unique organization has over 225 chapters globally, linking members from one corner of the Earth to the other both in person and through the Internet. STARFLEET is made up of people of all ages and from all walks of life who have come together to make new friends, share an interest in Star Trek™, science fiction and space, and to serve their local communities.

For more information on STARFLEET, please visit http://www.sfi.org or call 1-888-SFI-TREK.